Endoscopic spine surgery is a camera-based procedure for patients who have disc conditions. Surgery using an endoscope is already in use for knees and shoulders. But, with recent innovations, this expands the minimally invasive option to patients who have disc issues with back pain.
The surgeon uses a spinal endoscope and an array of surgical tools and HD camera. Providing this increased visibility for surgeons during a procedure helps evolve spinal surgery. These innovations reduce operative time and use less anesthesia.
Endoscopic spine surgery speeds up recovery and decreases pain
“During a traditional surgery I was working out of an incision of 3-5 centimeters long. Compare that to using the endoscope, it’s a centimeter incision size,” said Dr. Nikhil Shelke, fellowship-trained orthopedic and neurological spine surgeon with Marshfield Clinic Health System.
Along with the smaller incision sizes, patients are returning to normal activities faster with less pain. Patients should follow activity restrictions of BLT. Avoid bending, lifting more than 10 pounds and twisting your back. After surgery, physical therapy is always recommended and starts as early as two weeks following the surgery.
“In a traditional surgery we are sending patients home with 2-6 weeks of opioid medications for pain management,” Dr. Shelke said. “Now they wake up after surgery and rate their pain as low as a 2 out of 10. So, we’ve helped eliminate opioid prescriptions and recommend ibuprofen instead.”
Technology innovations expand minimally invasive spine care for back pain
Shelke is the first surgeon in Western Wisconsin to use this technique. He anticipates the application of this technology to continue to grow. For example, endoscopic surgery could expand to patients who need cervical or thoracic surgery and disc fusions.
“Certainly, there are some patients, who based on their condition, may not be good candidates,” Shelke said. “However, I’m open to evaluating patients to help them find the right treatment when surgery is the best fit,” Shelke said.
For back pain help, talk to a Marshfield Clinic Health System provider.
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